[Grovenet] An Important Matter
STEVE JERRETT
stevedj at teleport.com
Thu Mar 29 17:16:37 PDT 2007
Ron stated:
> I don't know enough about the situation to know whether I agree with
Steve,
> but I certainly understand his concern: if band is allowed to be
> marginalized as an after-school activity, it's more likely to see funds
cut
> if budgets get tighter.
Ron,
Sometimes programs are cut for reasons other than tight budgets.. If the
music performance programs are allowed to be marginalized, enrollment will
almost certainly drop. Decreased enrollment often causes programs to be cut
even in financially strong times.
I've seen it happen. Administrators sometimes make decisions making it
more difficult for students to participate in a program, then come along in
a couple of years and cut the program because of low enrollment. It has
made me wonder if it was a "master plan" to surreptitiously eliminate the
program. I'm not saying this is happening in this instance, but the result
can be disastrous regardless of the motivation.
As for Marian's question regarding the percentage of students involved in
the programs at Tom McCall, I can't answer that yet. I will find out as
soon as possible. It is spring break now and the people I need to contact
are away from their phones and Email.
Steve
> -----Original Message-----
> From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
> Behalf Of Ed Davie
> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:57 AM
> To: Forest Grove local interests list
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
>
>
> I do in fact. Even if only one student
> participated (not likely) it would benefit him/her
> and the rest of the school district along with
> life in the real world. Rather extreme, I know,
> but I've seen the results many times in the past.
> Ed
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ron D'Eau Claire
> To: 'Forest Grove local interests list'
> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:40 AM
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
>
>
> How is that, Ed?
>
> Marian asked what percentage of the students
> participate in a
> publicly-funded student activity at the school
> and you say it doesn't
> matter?
>
> Steve was very clear that his concern that
> moving band to an after-school
> activity meant it would be easier to justify
> limiting funds for the program
> should budgets grow even tighter.
>
> Surely you don't advocate opening the public
> purse without asking how many
> benefit.
>
> Ron D'Eau Claire
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com
> [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
> Behalf Of Ed Davie
> Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 10:53 AM
> To: redwagon at coho.net; Forest Grove local
> interests list
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
>
>
> That doesn't matter!
> Ed
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Marian Cakarnis
> To: stevedj at teleport.com ; 'Forest Grove local
> interests list'
> Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 10:51 PM
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
>
>
> I'm just wondering what percentage of students
> participate in Band and
> Orchestra at Tom McCall?
> Marian
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com
> [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
> Behalf Of STEVE JERRETT
> Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:01 PM
> To: grovenet at rdrop.com
> Subject: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
>
> As many of you are aware, high stakes testing
> has dominated the educational
> landscape over the last decade. School
> districts
> are pressured by State and
> Federal bureaucratic entities far removed from
> the reality of the classroom.
>
> This narrow pursuit of proficiency produces a
> very undesirable side-effect.
> Any subject not deemed important is relegated
> to
> second class status. The
> arts-music, drama, art-are all trampled by the
> "meeting the standard"
> stampede.
>
> This scenario is playing out now in the Forest
> Grove School District. Test
> score are lagging at Tom McCall Middle School.
> Feeling the pressure,
> administrators are looking for reasons for
> and
> solutions to the shortfall.
> Administrative mind set, predictably, focuses
> on
> the arts as an easy
> "scapegoat." Arts classes are traditionally
> viewed by many administrators
> as superficial and expendable. The case in
> point
> is no exception. Tom McCall
> Principal Al Rogers has proposed a plan to
> reduce the status of Band and
> Orchestra classes from their rightful place in
> the school curriculum to an
> after- school activity.
>
> I am posting the following letter on Greene
> because I know that many of you
> value a diversified educational system that
> values all endeavors.
>
>
> To: Music Performance Students, Parents and
> Friends of Music Education.
> Re: A Call to Action
>
>
>
> Dear Students, Parents and Friends:
>
>
> I am writing this letter to inform you of a
> situation that could negatively
> impact the Forest Grove School District music
> program. District
> administrators are considering a plan to
> remove
> the Band and Orchestra
> classes from the regular school day at Tom
> McCall Upper Elementary School.
> This plan would reduce the status of music
> performance groups from their
> rightful place as a part of the school
> curriculum to an after school
> activity. The implementation of this plan
> could negatively effect the
> quality our performance groups for years to
> come.
>
> After 30 years of experience as a public
> school
> music educator, specifically
> as a director of performance groups, I can
> state
> with confidence that this
> move will have nothing but a detrimental
> effect
> on our performance groups.
> Reduced student participation in the
> elementary
> schools will impact the
> middle and high school programs for years. The
> effects of this plan can
> never be reversed.
>
> Also, if this plan becomes reality, it could
> have serious ramifications to
> the very survival of these valuable programs.
> If
> music performance groups
> are reduced in status to an after school
> activity, they will stand a much
> greater chance of being cut in financially
> hard
> times. It is imperative that
> this plan not be implemented.
>
> Therefore, I am asking each and every one of
> you
> to take action to assure
> that this plan is not implemented. Here are
> some actions that you can take
> to help assure that it is not:
>
> Write a letter to, or email our
> Superintendent,
> Jack Musser, school board
> Chairwoman, Susan Winterbourne and Tom McCall
> Principal Al Rogers. Try to
> make sure the letter arrives before the April
> 9
> meeting of the Board of
> Directors. Mailing and email addresses will
> follow this letter.
> Attend the next meeting of our Board of
> Directors on Monday, April 9, at
> 7:00 p.m. in the Grove Room at the School
> District office. You can address
> the board regarding this issue at the
> beginning
> of the meeting during the
> unscheduled public appearances. Be sure to
> sign in before the meeting to
> assure yourself a spot on the agenda.
> Give this letter to as many people you can
> between now and the April 9
> meeting. Nothing is more effective than large
> numbers of people to support a
> cause.
>
> In closing, I urge you to help assure that our
> music groups continue to
> thrive. Your support and involvement can make
> a
> difference.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Steve Jerrett
> Parent, District Patron and Music Educator
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Contact Information:
>
> Jack Musser
> Superintendent of Schools
> Forest Grove School District
> 1728 Main Street
> Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
> Phone: 503-359-2414
> Email: jmusser at fgsd.k12.or.us
>
>
> Susan Winterbourne
> Chair, Board of Directors
> Forest Grove School District
> 1728 Main Street
> Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
> Email: swinterbourne at fgsd.k12.or.us
>
>
> Al Rogers
> Principal, Tom McCall Upper Elementary School
> 1341 Pacific Avenue
> Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
> Email: arogers at fgsd.k12.or.us
>
>
>
>
> Steve Jerrett
> stevedj at teleport.com
> EarthLink Revolves Around You.
>
>
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